Hi guys, longtime lurker and researcher, but very seldom poster here with a question.
I am getting air bubbles in my return lines....no water is leaking at the surface, though I do have a underground leak somewhere - if I close my fill valve on a cloudy day in the 60s I lose about an inch every five days.
My above ground plumbing is dry and I have tried using shaving cream to expose any leaks in the manifold/pumping/cartridge filtering/heater setup. I've gone through and lubed/replaced all the seals that I know of.
The bubbles continue during the entire pump cycle. At the beginning of each cycle the systems belches back and forth a few times.
Where should I look? Is it time to call in the pressure guys and test everything out?
I am getting air bubbles in my return lines....no water is leaking at the surface, though I do have a underground leak somewhere - if I close my fill valve on a cloudy day in the 60s I lose about an inch every five days.
My above ground plumbing is dry and I have tried using shaving cream to expose any leaks in the manifold/pumping/cartridge filtering/heater setup. I've gone through and lubed/replaced all the seals that I know of.
The bubbles continue during the entire pump cycle. At the beginning of each cycle the systems belches back and forth a few times.
Where should I look? Is it time to call in the pressure guys and test everything out?
That is a lot of bubbling for sure. I would focus on the suction side of the plubming as that is where air typically gets pulled-into the system. At the same time, water will not leak outwards unless the system is off. If you have a main drain and skimmer, try isolating one or the other (if possible) to see if there is a change. If you only have the poolside skimmer, you might double check to ensure the pump basket clear lid's O-ring is adequately lubed. Same goes for any drain plugs on the pump. Don't forget to inspect check valves or 3-way vavles before the pump. After all that, if you're still seeing bubbles and/or loosing water when the pump is off, it may be time to have someone inspect that suction side line. If you're handy and feel like doing a little DIY experiment, you could also take some spare PVC line (if available) and run it from the pump intake straight into the pool (like a straw) - from water to pump. If the bubbles stop, you know the suction line underground is compromised.
